uring one of my early visits to Mahan Baba Nand Singh Ji Maharaj at the Holy
Kutia - Thaath, I had the good fortune of listening to His holy discourses.
I was only a college student then but the deep impressions of these discourses
prompt me to write about the uniqueness of those impressions. I regret
my inability to reproduce the discourse in its original flavour but whatever
I can recall with my mean intellect is reproduced herein from one of the
discourses I heard.

Ekadasi Fast was being observed by one and all in a kingdom whose
Raja was a devoted person. On hearing that on this sacred day of
Ekadasi, smoke was emanating from the house of one Sanmukh, the
Raja summoned him to his presence and demanded to know the reasons
for the non-observance of the fast by him. Sanmukh most humbly submitted:

Rajan, I have found the true Guru. On His holy instructions,
I have reduced my human wants of eating, sleeping to the minimum.
I eat very little every day only to sustain my body, otherwise wholly
immersed in devotion to the Holy Nam all the time. With regard to
observance of fast, my Lord Guru has instructed me to keep a perpetual
fast from all the evils. So esteemed Rajan, as far as fasting is
concerned, I am with the Grace of my Lord Guru, observing a life-long
fast, from all evils, from all sins. This life-long fast has rendered
my whole life sacred. Every day of my life is sanctified and I observe
a sacred fast every day.

The Raja on hearing these words of wisdom was deeply impressed and
touched, and enquired about the wherewithal of the Great Guru.

Sanmukh disclosed the holy name of Sri Guru Nanak Sahib. The Raja
pleaded if he could also have the good fortune of having His darshans.
Sanmukh submitted that as the Great Guru was knower of all hearts,
the Raja should yearningly pray to the Guru for his blissful darshans
which will certainly be bestowed.

It was after some time that three saints happened to camp at a dry
and abandoned garden at a distance from the habitation. With their
holy presence, the dry garden started blooming into unique freshness,
charm and peace. The Raja was accordingly informed of the arrival
and sojourn of these holy persons in his kingdom. He was also informed
that waves of human beings were irresistably drawn to His sacred
presence and there was no one left in the whole kingdom who did
not seek to bask in the light and Grace of the Great Redeemer.

The Raja with the intention of testing the genuineness of the saints,
decided to send the most attractive and beautiful dancers of his
Darbar, to woo and charm them into submission. But when these emissaries
of "Kam" reached the divine presence of Sri Guru Nanak Sahib and
when His glance of grace fell on these women of ill-intent they
strongly felt the stirrings of holy bliss within. These women of
easy virtue were suddenly transformed into godesses of purity and
truth. His one look was enough for this miraculous transformation.
It was the same holy glance which when cast on Kauda Rakshash had
transformed him into a god, and when cast on Sajjan Thag, a notorious
robber and murderer, had instantly transformed him into a saint.

These women reported back to the Raja only to submit their resignation
from their ill- reputed profession. Raja wonderstruck by such strange
and miraculous transformation of these women, deeply repented over
his false ego and pride, and immediately set out for rendering apologies
at the feet of the Great Saints. He carried befitting and dignified
offerings.

Placing all the royal offerings at the holy feet of Satguru, the
Raja most humbly pleaded for their acceptance. The bestower of all
auspiciousness and riches of the world, the Great Guru politely
declined the offer.

The Raja then humbly requested the Great Guru to kindly visit and
grace his palace and accept meals there. The Great Guru enquired
as to what special Dakshina would be offered there.

No
Rajan, your father, grand father, great-grand father also
claimed this kingdom as their own. Similarly, whatever
you have been claiming as your's in previous births is
not your's. Offer something which is your own.

Perplexed, the Raja then offered his body at the service of the
Great Guru.

Sri Guru Nanak Sahib again said :

Rajan offer something which is your own.

The
Raja again pleaded :

Sir,
this body is mine.

The
Great Guru said :

For
all your previous births, you committed the same blunder. You
considered and identified yourself with the body but had to
part with that. What use is this heap of dust? This is not yours.
Can you offer something which is your own?

Raja
then pleaded :

Sir
if this kingdom, wealth and possessions are not mine, then I
offer my mind at your holy feet.

The
Great Guru again said :

Rajan,
offer something which is your own.

Raja
said :

Sir,
this mind is mine.

Sri
Guru Nanak Sahib :

Your
mind controls you, it leads you astray, it makes you wander
in all directions. It has completely overpowered you. You are
a slave of your uncontrolled mind. Something which is beyond
your control, you cannot call it your's. Offer something which
is your's

The Raja realised that this perishable body does not belong to
him as do not his kingdom and worldly possessions. If the body itself
does not belong to him, how can material possessions and worldly
things be called his own. His mind was not under his control, rather
it ruled over him.